Wolfpack to honor former football stars at spring game

Published: Wednesday, March 26, 2014 at 12:47 AM.

RALEIGH — North Carolina State will honor the jerseys of Super Bowl-winning quarterback Russell Wilson and former No. 1 overall draft pick Mario Williams this year.

Wilson, who’s with the Seattle Seahawks, will be honored during the spring football game April 12 at Carter-Finley Stadium.

Williams, who plays for the Buffalo Bills, will return for a regular-season home game as his schedule allows, the school announced.

Wilson, also an N.C. State baseball player, suited up for three football seasons with the Wolfpack before using his final season of eligibility at Wisconsin. He graduated from N.C. State in three years.

“My memories of playing as the quarterback for the Wolfpack are never ending,” Wilson said in a statement from the university.”... I can still taste and sense the blood, sweat, and tears we all sacrificed to be successful.”

Wilson’s No. 16 and Williams’ No. 9 will continue to be worn by standout N.C. State players. In the future, any player designated by the head coach to wear those numbers will also wear a patch honoring Wilson or Williams.

“These two players had outstanding careers for the Wolfpack and have gone on to do great things in the National Football League,” N.C. State coach Dave Doeren. “We, along with our passionate Wolfpack fans, are so proud of them and their accomplishments and wanted to permanently honor them by adding their names to the (N.C.) State greats on display inside Carter-Finley Stadium.”

Williams is a three-time Pro Bowl selection.

Wilson’s Seattle teammate, offensive guard J.R. Sweezy, is expected to attend the spring game. Denver Broncos linebacker Nate Irving, who was on the opposing team in last month’s Super Bowl, is also scheduled to be on hand.

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RALEIGH — North Carolina State will honor the jerseys of Super Bowl-winning quarterback Russell Wilson and former No. 1 overall draft pick Mario Williams this year.

Wilson, who’s with the Seattle Seahawks, will be honored during the spring football game April 12 at Carter-Finley Stadium.

Williams, who plays for the Buffalo Bills, will return for a regular-season home game as his schedule allows, the school announced.

Wilson, also an N.C. State baseball player, suited up for three football seasons with the Wolfpack before using his final season of eligibility at Wisconsin. He graduated from N.C. State in three years.

“My memories of playing as the quarterback for the Wolfpack are never ending,” Wilson said in a statement from the university.”... I can still taste and sense the blood, sweat, and tears we all sacrificed to be successful.”

Wilson’s No. 16 and Williams’ No. 9 will continue to be worn by standout N.C. State players. In the future, any player designated by the head coach to wear those numbers will also wear a patch honoring Wilson or Williams.

“These two players had outstanding careers for the Wolfpack and have gone on to do great things in the National Football League,” N.C. State coach Dave Doeren. “We, along with our passionate Wolfpack fans, are so proud of them and their accomplishments and wanted to permanently honor them by adding their names to the (N.C.) State greats on display inside Carter-Finley Stadium.”

Williams is a three-time Pro Bowl selection.

Wilson’s Seattle teammate, offensive guard J.R. Sweezy, is expected to attend the spring game. Denver Broncos linebacker Nate Irving, who was on the opposing team in last month’s Super Bowl, is also scheduled to be on hand.